I advertised in the local papers while waiting for the yellow pages to come out. I recieved only a few calls over two weeks. I changed the add to read

Power Washing
Blah, Blah, Blah
Call now for our
April Specials
Blah, blah, blah,

I have recieved a ton more calls and have landed some of the jobs already in just one day since the new add printed. When I get a call I tell them that April is slow month before it picks up in may and for the month of april I clean the gutters our for free for the "april showers". This has made people very happy since they don't have to hire someone else to do the gutters or do them themselves.

Just a thought for anyone who is having a slow month. I also plan on sending a flyer to all my residential customers next march to offer them last years price this year and maybe a discount if the work is done before the end of april. A chance to save them from paying more a year later and will hopefully give me a busy april. The best part is that I hope they will jump on it to keep there house clean and the job should be fairly easy since it was only done a year ago.

Just some thoughts I wanted to share.

Two things:

1) Make sure your insurance carries ladder work, especially if you have a helper. If you're using a ladder to clean the gutters, make sure you're covered!

2) People that call you back next year, or 2 years from now, are going to expect that same service....even if it was 'just a special offer'. They don't forget things that are free. If someone else catches wind, you'll hear "Ya, but you cleaned the gutters for xxx, do mine too". I can't picture anyone who is looking for more business to say "NO, it was a special offer".

It's not a bad deal, just be prepared for any repeat customers to expect this next time.